Pakistan’s allegation that flow of water in river Chenab was blocked earlier this year has been found unsubstantiated by a high level Indian team which visited that country last week. The team, led by Indus Water Commissioner G Ranganathan, will submit its report to the government shortly on its findings during the three-day visit to Marala barrage and other areas along the Chenab river in Pakistan.
Ranganathan and other officials visited Pakistan from November 29 to “ascertain facts about system of utilisation of water” released by India under the 1960 Indus Treaty. The visit was warranted after Pakistan alleged that flow of water in river Chenab was blocked by India for filling Baglihar dam in Jammu and Kashmir in August, affecting cultivation in that country.
The team found facts which contradict Islamabad’s claims, sources said. Under the Treaty, the two sides can ask for inspection of sites covered under the Indus river system. India has already rejected the Pakistan charge by furnishing data to support its claim.
Sources said while India had been honest in implementing the Treaty, it wanted to see first hand whether Pakistan was utilising the water released by it.
The Treaty says that whenever India fills up a dam, it would ensure that Pakistan gets 55,000 cu of water in its Marala dam. Acknowledging that water flow was less for a brief period, India says it was because of low availability.
